When I was just a kid living in suburb Melbourne, I wanted a pair of the original Air Jordans – the flashy red and black ones that were banned in the NBA for not being white (racist!), but Jordan wore them anyway because he’s Jordan, and he doesn’t give a damn about the pity fines he had to pay for disregarding that rule. Anyhow, growing up in a single-parent family basically meant that $70 Air Jordans were a no-go, so I’d pass through the sneaker store every day and salivate at the sight of them.
Now that I’m a grown, strong, independent man, I don’t need to take my mum’s bossing around, so I just buy sneakers whenever I want to, and whichever pair I want to, because that’s what grown ups do. You hear that mum?! I’m a grown-ass man! However, good sneakers nowadays cost a lot more than $70, and believe it or not, buying sneakers is an addiction. In fact, I think I would have more money in the bank if I was into drugs.
Anyway, the great thing about sneakers in 2017 is that it’s widely acceptable to wear them almost anywhere, and with anything. And trust me, you don’t have to look like a Slavic mafioso when wearing sneakers. Just avoid combining adidas sneakers with adidas tracksuits and a gold chain. I personally divide all my sneakers into two groups – beaters and everyday pairs.
The beaters are the ones I’m wearing when things could get dirty. The perfect beaters mens sneakers are converse, because they simply look great even when worn down and dirty. I usually keep a pair or two in my closet – one for work around the house and garage, and the other for raves. However, not every shoe has to start as a beater. In fact, the two pairs I got started off as everyday shoes, but some wear and tear downgraded them to beaters.
The everyday pair, are the shoes you wear in the real world, whether at work, at the bar, or with friends. Everyday mens sneakers look great right out the box, and they keep looking good after a few months of wear as well. Generally, you don’t want to get these dirty, and you should clean them once in a while. Whether they’re nike, adidas, converse or Jordans doesn’t really matter, these sneakers can fit with a button-down shirt, a T-shirt and anything in between.
So where do you buy the dope to fuel your addiction? -The internet, of course. I love shopping online for a couple of reasons. First and foremost, I can shop at work, when I should be working. Secondly, I hate interacting with people, especially employees at sneaker stores who follow you around and make it awkward for everyone involved. Seriously, stop pestering me, leaving my house is inconvenient enough without you trying to strike a conversation.
